"Goodness Jane. You are beautiful." Thereupon he put one of his hands on her shoulder and gently caressed her neck and the lobes of her ear with the other while inhaling deeply in her hair. Then his hands went slowly downwards, delicately brushing the soft silk of her arms.
"This is a beautiful dress you are wearing, too."
He then slipped his arms around her, and he lifted her light as a feather and carried her to the imposing bed behind them, his blue eyes enthralled her with a deep, ardent look. He said nothing more. He merely proceeded to disrobe himself in front of her, both to her dismay and delight. For he was a delightful vision. His strong build combined with his sunburned complexion made him the perfect recipe for her neglected thirst of passion. Jane felt dizzy, her head spinning. She felt butterflies in her stomach and thought she would faint right there. But then he did the most distracting thing she would never, ever, not even in her wildest dreams expect to witness.
He went naked. Yes. Right there in front of her eyes she beheld a naked man as the good dear God created him. Naked and aroused.
That was distraction enough. She dared not faint after that. Quite the contrary. She came distinctively alive, and before one could say it she was disrobed, too.
Their lovemaking was a dream come true. He kissed her all over, even in the most preposterous places, down there where not even she dared to look. And touched her so, she thought she could die in his arms. Involuntarily, she began to emit sounds which she in vain endeavoured not to do. Quite unbeknown to her was the fact that in so doing she was telling him which her sensitive areas were. And thither he would direct his efforts. In a matter of minutes she had almost reached the peak of her pleasure. But he would not let her release it just then, No, he would make her start all over again, so many times that she lost count.
She became as insatiable as he was unrelenting. They would continue in that manner for the longest time, until Richard found it impossible to go on without relieving himself. He reached his peak with such a glorious pleasure that Jane fell on the pillow and let out an agonising cry, too.
Both spent, they lay in bed for awhile, side by side, half asleep.
Notwithstanding exhaustive love exertions, the night was still to witness their lovemaking for much longer. They made love the whole night through, occasionally taking one hour to rest until dawn told them it was over.
Jane woke up to find his beautiful form lying beside her. He was sound asleep. Being the first time she woke up abed with a man, curiosity won over her most prudent character. Ever so slowly she lifted the pristine sheets to peek at his sleeping manhood. It was nothing she had imagined. For the formidable thing that had taken her to such raptures a few moments ago, had been astonishingly reduced.
So, when Richard woke up, he found his lover looking at him askance, full of questions. "How did you do that?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"How do you do that? I have never felt the way you made me feel last night."
"I thank you, ma'am. Yours cannot be more flattering words. Indeed I must confess it was you who made it possible. For it was your person that inspired my passion."
"Will you come to me tonight?"
"With pleasure," he said, and he gallantly kissed her hand.
Regrettably, they had no time to talk. They must part lest the servants come upon them. So, with a mournful look in her eyes, she watched him gather his clothes. Then dressed in his breeches, he quitted the bedchamber without promises of any kind, save to come to her that very night again and not before kissing her for the last time.
~•~
Jane was in remarkably good spirits the morning of the shopping excursion, so much so, that her good humour was immediately noticed by her sister.
Elizabeth's curiosity was piqued. She dreaded the remarkable changes in her sister's demeanour had something to do with Richard's flattering attitude and feared for her sister's emotions. She knew what Richard's attention could do in a lady's heart, how irresistible he could be. So, on seeing that she was left alone in Jane's company for awhile, she endeavoured to worm something out.
"Happy, are we?" she said nonchalantly. Her sister only smiled.
"You have been humming a tune the whole way to Bond Street and all through the excursion."
"Have I? I hardly knew," she answered nervously.
"And that would be because…?"
"Are you concerned because I sound happy? Is so strange that I can be as happy as you are?" Jane answered rather defensively.
"Not at all. 'Tis only you seldom hum. I am merely curious."
Jane managed to compose herself and in an instant she was the sweet old Jane that everyone knew. "Dearest Lizzy. Do you think I have no good reason to feel merry? My dear sister is finally getting married to the man she has always loved. He is the most amiable, handsome and rich man of our acquaintance and I am sure will make you immensely happy. Moreover, I was allowed to spend the last day of your maidenhood in your company, and to tell you the truth, I am happy to say, away from the worries of motherhood if only for three days! On top of it we are so spending an infamous amount of money on new gowns for you and have just seen to the last details of your wedding dress. Even I have purchased a new gown! Now, I dare you mention merrier a time."
Elizabeth's heart melted. Her sister was correct. How stupid of her to feel concerned about such a preposterous notion! Her sister a flirt! And with none other than Richard! She began to feel ashamed and soon persuaded herself that all had been the result of a misapprehension on her part. "Aye, Jane. Sweet Jane. You are right. 'Tis the merriest of times, is it not?"
"Indeed, dearest. Most joyful."
"Do you think one can die of happiness, Jane?
"I once thought I could."
They laughed and were forced to cover their mouths with their hands to refrain from putting a show in the streets. After all, it was the Darcy carriage that was following them, and Miss Darcy would soon join them.
Just then, Georgiana went out of the music shop where she had been purchasing some music sheets. Jane and Elizabeth were still struggling to regain composure after the round of laughter when the young lady, feeling she was missing something and even fearing they would be hiding something from her, eyed them gravely.
"Is there anything the matter, Georgie?" asked Elizabeth averting her odd look.
"No, nothing at all." Then she added tentatively, looking Jane in the eye. "'Tis strange we have seen nothing of the Colonel today, is it not? Do you think he still feels unwell?"
"I dare say he does not," answered Jane vehemently.
"Have you seen my cousin, Jane?" asked Miss Darcy.
Jane went visibly pale. Miss Darcy had taken her compleatly by surprise. She immediately averted her eyes and fixed them on the pavement. She was astonished at her own imprudence for she had not meant to voice that aloud. As a matter of fact, she could not believe she had voiced it at all. How careless she had been!
"I was merely expressing a wish," she stammered demurely.
Elizabeth looked askance at her sister in disbelief. She immediately noticed the dreadful state of Jane's demeanour. All the worries she had just erased came back even more forcefully.
Meantime, Colonel Fitzwilliam was undergoing similar circumstances. He woke up rather late, which was extraordinary to say the least. He had a soldier's routine and would usually be out of bed long before praying hours.
Darcy had been waiting for him in the breakfast parlour for a good half hour when he stormed in, followed by his valet, the poor man endeavouring to knot a cravat on his freshly shaven neck.
"Late again, Fitzwilliam? You hardly are half the man I used to know."
"I dare say, cousin, had you spent the night I have, you most certainly would not have woken at all." He immediately regretted his words. What would he say now?
"Not have woken at all? Have you not slept last night?"
"Not a wink, until the early hours."
"I am sorry to hear that. What
was the cause of your distress?"
"Oh, no distress at all. Let us say I was sleepless."
"Sleepless, huh? A bit strange for a lady's name. Is she a foreigner?"
"Indeed, Darcy. What makes you believe I have spent the night with a lady?"
"Judging from your face 'twas not Morpheus's arms you spent it in! You forget I know you well, Fitzwilliam. Though I do not concur with your choice of entertainment, I can assure you I perfectly comprehend your feelings."
"Well then. You must know I am famished."
That said he dug into the breakfast table and helped himself to almost everything that had been served.
"Would you ring for more?" asked Darcy, diverted.
"Nay, I thank you. We should be going, should we not?"
"Are you sure? I would be loath to deprive you of food."
"Oh la! Shall we go now?" They spent the rest of the morning with Lady Matlock and her daughter, Lady Sarah. Both of them were planning to attend the wedding. The Fitzwilliams always stood together, no matter what. Notwithstanding Darcy's haste to marry, that a widower should do so during mourning was nothing out of the extraordinary, although Lord Matlock reckoned he would have wished his nephew had waited at least three months. Darcy explained that he had not planned to marry so soon at all. He had simply came upon the right lady in the most difficult circumstances. Of course, Darcy's haste to marry reminded her ladyship of the delicate matter of the legacy. Both Pemberley and Rosings needed an heir, and his espousal meant exactly that.
Still, three months would not have altered things very much.
But her Ladyship was very understanding. And so was Lord Matlock. He was not facing a young man of barely twenty. Fitzwilliam Darcy had already done what it had been expected from him, thus he could marry wherever and whenever he chose.
Later on, after a pleasant morning, Darcy joined Elizabeth and Jane in Cheapside at the Gardiner's house, to extend a personal invitation to their aunt and uncle to the wedding, although they of course had been already apprised with the news in a letter Elizabeth had sent them from Longbourn. Darcy even expressed his wish to receive the couple sometime in the summer. The Gardiners were more than pleased to hear that and promised to take his kind invitation into account.
But Miss Darcy, pleading a splitting headache, begged to be carried home.
~•~
Colonel Fitzwilliam was surprised to find Georgiana in the house.
"Why did you not accompany your brother and new sisters, Sprout? You do not like their company? You seemed quite delighted yesterday."
"I wished to have a word with you, Richard. I told Brother I had a headache and was allowed to come home earlier."
"A word with me? You need not resort to this subterfuge to talk to me. Should I have known you wished to talk I would have risen earlier so we could have done so during breakfast. I shall always oblige you, Sprout. What is it that this old man can do for you?"
"There is something of the gravest importance that I wish to talk to you about."
"Grave, huh?"
"Yes."
He paced towards the lovers seat and sat down, patting the other place in a gesture for Georgiana to join him. Ever so shyly, she walked towards him and sat by his side.
"Well, then?"
If Georgiana ever found it difficult to speak her mind, it was so much so now that both her cousin's and her own felicity were at stake. Therefore, she chose to start the conversation with a safe topic.
"You once promised me a thousand reels, remember?" she took a short glance at her cousin to see his reaction. He was smiling at her. That was invitation enough. Taking courage she continued. "You even promised you would dance a waltz with me."
"Reels? Indeed! I remember. I wish I could keep my promise now, Sprout. Still, I shall dance with you as soon as our mourning for Mrs Darcy is over."
"You will indeed?" she said as she placed a tentative hand over his.
He accepted her gesture and even further more, gallantly took her hand to his lips and bestowed a sweet kiss on its back. "I promise. I have not forgotten, Sprout. In fact, I thought it would be you who would have forgotten about it by now. Have you not found someone else to dance with? Are you certain you still wish to dance with this old sack of potatoes?"
"Oh. I wish to dance with no one else but you. I… I have missed you, Richard," she said demurely. "Very much."
"I have missed you, too, Sprout. But still I imagined you have met quite a number of young gentlemen. Your brother told me you have received more than one good offer. I am surprised you are not married yet. Pray, tell me. Are not any of those gentlemen good enough to be your suit?"
"Nay. I told you once. After what my brother has gone through I promised myself that nothing but the deepest love would persuade me to enter into matrimony."
"And you have not known love yet."
"Aye, I have. I have been in love for a long time now. Only the object of my affection is in love with someone else, instead."
The Colonel sensed that was the topic of her interest. He assumed a stern pose and asked decidedly seriously, "Is that what you wished to talk with me about? Would you not rather talk with Miss Elizabeth?"
"No, it must be you. You must know, surely you must know who I am talking of."
"Do you mean I know him?"
"Very well."
"Georgiana, you must speak frankly. I hate this riddle. I know not who or what you are talking of. Pray, what is it that you wish me to do? Should there be something, anything, I can do for you, only tell me so."
"There is something you can do." She turned to look him in the eye and noticed his concern. He really had not caught her meaning. Mournfully, she averted her eyes, and almost mumbled to herself. "Still, I have seen you with her. You love her, I know. I have noticed."
"I beg your pardon?" he asked in disbelief.
"Mrs Bingley."
The Colonel's face went rigid "Georgiana. Of what are you talking? I am afraid I fail to comprehend your meaning."
"Oh, sir. You know of what I am talking." For a moment Richard's mind went blank. He knew not what to say to her. She was right. He was falling in love with Mrs Bingley. He had not been careful enough and now his predicament had been noticed by his cousin.
"Richard!" she went on. "I am no fool. I saw how you look at her, the way you talk to her. 'Tis so obvious."
"Is this the grave thing of which you wished to talk with me? Because if it is your intention to discuss such a preposterous thing, then you must know I do not wish… Nay, I shall not allow you… Young lady this is unbearable!" He rose to his feet in indignation, his face crimsoned, his fist tightly closed.
"No, no. Pray, do not be angry with me. I am sorry. I did not mean to be so meddlesome."
"Georgiana. I am afraid this conversation is over. You must excuse me." He grabbed her hands and rather annoyed as he was, put them down, disentangling them from his neck. Very much displeased with himself and in absolute embarrassment, he strode towards the exit.
"Richard!" she called out. He paid no attention to her but continued his exiting the room. "Richard, I have not finished."
ust before he crossed the frame of the door, he wheeled around and sent daggers to her. "Oh, yes, Miss Darcy. I assure you, you have finished. And we shall have a conversation with your brother as soon as he returns." He was furious, compleatly enraged, but not so much with Georgiana, but with himself.
"Richard, pray. I must speak with you."
He was just about to exit the room when he heard her say: "I love you."
He wheeled around and looked at her. Strangely, his eyes were not angry any more. There was something else in them even worse than anger. He was shocked.
"I love you. I do. I can no longer hide it. I know of the impropriety of my confession. But circumstances being as they are, I believe you must be aware of my feelings for you. This is why I have not accepted any proposals of marriage, and never will. I have promised myself never to marry but for
love. And I love you, Richard, only you."
Richard was petrified, nailed to the floor where he was standing, his blue eyes fixed on the young lady's face, watching intently every movement of her lips, as if he found her speech impossible to comprehend. After a while, in which both of them have been silent, he approached her, and frowning at her he spoke thus:
"Never, mark my words, never again repeat such outrageous words again, Georgiana, do you hear me? Never again." He then raked his fingers through his hair and endeavoured to regain composure. "Love me, indeed. You know not what love is. You are merely a young girl with girlish dreams."
"Indeed you are mistaken. I do love you. I have endured the most trying age loving you, always at a distance. And then, you left. I thought I would die. I was too young then to understand my feelings. But I am not that little girl any more. I am a woman now. And I do not need to defend my age any more. I am one and twenty, my dowry is impressive and you would do very well indeed in marrying me, for you would be marrying blood, fortune and unrelenting love."
"Georgiana. I am almost your father. How can you say such a thing?"
"Indeed you are not. You are my cousin. And you could marry me should you wish to do so."
"I am sorry, Georgie. I cannot marry you. 'Tis not possible. I love you, yes. Only my love for you is the kind of love one feels for a close relative. A sister. You are very dear to me. But you are my little sister. I cannot marry my sister."
That said, he exited the drawing room hastily. Rushing upstairs, he went into his bedchamber and threw himself onto the bed. He must have been there for a good hour, until he realised he could not stay in the house any longer. Not after what had transpired. He would not endure Georgiana's look or Mrs Bingley's for that matter. He called his valet and instructed him to carry his things to his paternal home. Then penned a note for Darcy and gave it to Darcy's manservant without further explanations.
Just as he was descending the stairs he found his cousin and both Elizabeth and Jane, who had just arrived from the Gardiners' house. Jane's countenance immediately reflected the effect the gentleman had caused in her heart. She shone with happiness at the mere sight of him and had to fight a terrible impulse to go forward to meet him. Yet, her smile she directed at him, and this was widely noticed by the rest.
Love Calls Again Page 47